Sally,
Great awareness to have. What might you do to address this when trying to focus on what your student (or anyone else) is sharing with you, if you're not interested in the topic?
Shannon Gormley
Excellent awareness, Arilton. Knowing what limits your ability to listen is important in knowing how to address it. This is not an uncommon limitation. Your brain is a powerful muscle and it tends to fill in any gaps during conversation with the many things on your to do list! One technique that you can use is the 3 R's (repeat, rephrase, or reflect). When you repeat, you're simply repeating back to the student what they've told you. Rephrasing means that you're putting the message into your own words, and reflecting allows you the opportunity to express the feelings or emotions you may be picking up on. Using the 3 R's can help you focus in on what the student is telling you and demonstrate your listening ability. What are some other ideas that you might have for maintaining your focus?
Dr. Jean Norris
When I am not interested, I think of other things or any future activities that are fun!
In other words, I multitask, while trying to obtain the overall ideas of the speakers topic.
Since I do not have deadlines to fill, my problem listening is because I just have to much in my mind. I am always thinking what I have to do next and have a hard time focus on the right now. What should I do to keep in the moment?
i will keep my mind on the student and not the anaswer.when i start drifting i will ask the student a question.
Dominique,
Great awareness. When you identify the particular instances in which you limit your listening, it's easier to adapt in that situation. What specifically will you do to overcome this listening limitation in the future?
Dr. Jean Norris
I limit my listening sometimes by thinking i know what the student needs. So i tend to payless attention to what they are saying because i feel i already know the anaswer.
I will be wroking on listening deeper by not preparing my answer. I recieve so many of the same questions that it is very easy to go ahead and prepare my answer in my head before they are finished with their thought.
Maydelin,
Excellent approach. Taking the time to "pause" and give your prospective students the time and space to think about their response and articulate it back to you is essential. Good luck with "pausing" in your future interactions.
Shannon Gormley
just need to learn how to pause. let them think of their answer before I speak.
Benny, that is a great point. Catching yourself in that "know it all" limitation is an important step to ensure that you are treating each student individually and can tailor your interaction to what they are presenting to you.
Shannon Gormley
I find this very interesting. When I am listening to the students because of life experience I feel like a know it all and have to catch myself and show the student empathy.
I limit my listening by multi-tasking inside of my own head and thinking on way too many tasks at the same time.
Michael, yes that is a common limitation. So now that you are aware of this, tell me, what is your plan for the next time you speak to a student?
Shannon Gormley
by already thinking about what your going to say while the other person is speaking
MIGUEL ,
Excellent observation! Our own perceptions of how the student is taking in information and processing in can also become a barrier to our listening. What might you do to overcome this specific barrier the next time you believe it's occurring, Miguel?
Shannon Gormley
Sometimes, during conversations, when people show they are not interested on the subject or show impatience, your mind tries to analyze the person or situation rather than listening carefully. This sometimes becomes a listening barrier.
Cinthia, this is great awareness and I am sure many would agree with you. Now that you know this, what is your plan to listen fully to your customers?
Shannon Gormley
we are so busy trying to do many thing at the same time we hear things by halves.
Great idea Lorri! It all starts with identifying the opportunity and move forward from there. Good luck and keep us posted on your progress.
Shannon Gormley
